Refrigerator

ABSTRACT

The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a storage chamber; an inner case forming the exterior of the storage chamber; a first door pivotally provided to the cabinet and opening and closing one side of the storage chamber; a second door having a pillar rotated so as to come into contact with the first door, pivotally provided to the cabinet, and opening and closing the other side of the storage chamber; and a driving member provided at a lower end of the second door so as to move together with the second door, and operating the pillar so as to fold or unfold the pillar, wherein the pillar has a first catching protrusion and a second catching protrusion, which are selectively caught by the driving member.

FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, more particularly, arefrigerator which may open one storage chamber by using twoside-by-side doors so as to enhance use convenience.

BACKGROUND

Generally, a refrigerator is an electric appliance configured to storefoods in a fresh state for a preset time period by chilling the foodsstored in a storage chamber (a freezer compartment and a refrigeratorcompartment), while repeating a freezing cycle.

A compressor is provided in the refrigerator to compress the refrigerantcirculating the freezing cycle into a high-temperature-and-high-pressurerefrigerant. The refrigerant compressed in the compressor may generatecold air while passing through a heat exchanger and the generated coldair may be supplied to the freezer or refrigerator compartment.

Such the refrigerator usually includes the freezer compartment mountedon a top and the refrigerator compartment mounted on a bottom. A side byside type has the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartmentmounted side by side.

As a further type, a two-door type refrigerator has two doors which areprovided to open and close one storage storage chamber provided in anupper or lower portion.

In case such two doors are provided to open and close one storagechamber, a pillar is installed in one of them. The pillar is providedone of the two doors and able to contact with the two doors once the twodoors closes the storage chamber, only to enhance a degree of the tightclosing of the storage chamber.

In the prior art to which the present invention pertains, theconventional refrigerator further include a projection and a guidegroove which are provided in an inner case and configured to guide therotation of the pillar.

In the conventional refrigerator, the structure for guiding the rotationof the pillar has to be projected downwardly from a top of the innercase such that the user could feel uncomfortable in using the storagechamber.

Moreover, in a state where the door having the pillar has closed thestorage chamber, the pillar is unfolded out of the corresponding door soas to interfere a passage of a drawer installed in the refrigerator.Accordingly, the widths of the drawers disadvantageously have to bechanged in a state where two drawers are arranged side by side.

Also, in a state where the pillar is unfolded, a basket provided in thedoor has to have gently curved corners not to contact with the pillarwhen rotating together with the door. Accordingly, the storage capacityof the basket cannot help decreasing disadvantageously.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Technical Problem

To overcome the disadvantages, an object of the present disclosure is toprovide a refrigerator which may open one storage chamber by using twoside-by-side doors so as to enhance use convenience.

Technical Solution

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the embodiments, as embodied and broadly described herein, arefrigerator comprises a cabinet comprising a storage chamber; an innercase which defines the exterior of the storage chamber; a first doorrotatably coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close oneside of the storage chamber; a second door comprising a pillar rotatableto contact with the first door, the second door rotatably coupled to thecabinet and configured to open and close the other side of the storagechamber; a driving member installed in a lower end of the second doorand movable together with the second door, the driving member configuredto fold or unfold the pillar, wherein a first protrusion and a secondprotrusion are formed in the pillar and configured to be selectivelycoupled to the driving member, and in a state where the second doorcloses the storage chamber tight, the pillar is arranged distant from anupper wall and a lower wall of the inner case not to contact with theinner case.

The refrigerator may further comprise a first door switch configured tosense the opening and closing of the first door; a second door switchconfigured to sense the opening and closing of the second door, whereinthe driving member rotates the pillar to fold it, when one of the firstand second door switches sense the door opening.

The refrigerator may further comprise a first door switch configured tosense the opening and closing of the first door; and a second doorswitch configured to sense the opening and closing of the second door,wherein the driving member rotates the pillar to unfold it, when both ofthe first and second door switch sense the door opening.

The first protrusion and the second protrusion may be arranged at thedifferent heights in a perpendicular direction of the pillar.

The driving member may comprise a first link configured to selectivelycontact with the first protrusion; and a second link configured toselectively contact with the second protrusion.

The first link and the second link may be arranged to have differentheights, respectively.

The driving member may comprise a motor which is rotatable in a forwarddirection or reverse direction; and a transmission unit configured totransmit the rotation of the motor to the first link and the secondlink.

The transmission unit may comprise a first gear configured to receive arotation force from the motor; a second gear configured to engage withthe first gear; and a third gear rotatable in the same directiontogether with the second gear.

The second gear may comprise a first projected pieces configured toselectively contact with the first link, and the third gear comprises asecond projected piece configured to selectively contact with the secondlink.

The refrigerator may further comprise a worm gear configured to transmitthe rotation of the motor to the first gear, wherein a rotation axis ofthe motor is arranged perpendicular to a rotation axis of the firstgear.

The driving member may comprise a case defining the exterior, and thecase comprises a first projection and a second projection, and the firstprojection is connected with the first link by a first elastic member,and the second projection is connected with the second link by a secondelastic member.

A through-hole may be provided in the case, and the first link and thesecond link contact with the pillar via the through-hole.

The refrigerator may further comprise a sensor configured to sensewhether the pillar is rotated.

When the sensor senses that the pillar is not rotated to be in a presetstate, the driving member may be driven again.

A basket may be provided above the driving member.

Advantageous Effects

The embodiments have following advantageous effects. The refrigeratorhas not structure projected toward the storage chamber to rotate thepillar. Accordingly, the capacity of the storage chamber may be enlargedand the user may not feel uncomfortable with the projected structure.

In a state where only the door having the pillar is closed while theother door opens the storage chamber, the pillar is folded. Accordingly,when pulling out the drawer installed in the other door, the drawer willnot be caught by the pillar and the widths of the drawers installed inthe two doors may be the same.

In a state where only the door having the pillar is closed while theother door opens the storage chamber, the pillar is folded. When theuser rotates the other door, the basket will not be caught by thepillar. Accordingly, the corners of the basket may be formed angular andthe storage capacity of the basket may be enlarged.

The folding or unfolding of the pillar is determined by using the doorswitch configured to sense the door opening and closing. Accordingly,the reliability of the pillar operation may be enhanced.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating an inside of a second door provided inthe refrigerator;

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a driving member;

FIG. 4 is a partial diagram of FIG. 3, viewed from a differentdirection;

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating a first protrusion and a secondprotrusion which are formed in a pillar;

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation that the pillar is beingunfolded; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation that the pillar is beingfolded.

DESCRIPTION OF SPECIFIC EMBODIMENTS

Referring to the accompanying drawings, exemplary embodiments of thepresent disclosure will be described in detail.

Regardless of numeral references, the same or equivalent components maybe provided with the same reference numbers and description thereof willnot be repeated. For the sake of brief description with reference to thedrawings, the sizes and profiles of the elements illustrated in theaccompanying drawings may be exaggerated or reduced and it should beunderstood that the embodiments presented herein are not limited by theaccompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a front view of a refrigerator in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, the refrigerator in accordance with the embodimentincludes a cabinet 1 which defines the exterior of the refrigerator.

A storage chamber 2 is provided in the cabinet 1 to store foods.

The storage chamber 2 may be defined by an inner case 10 provided in thecabinet. The inner case 10 may include an upper wall 12 and a lower wall14 to finish inner surfaces of the storage chamber 2. A front surface ofthe storage chamber 2 may be open to allow access to the storage chamberto the user. The upper wall 12 means the ceiling 12 of the storagechamber 2 or inner case 10.

A first door 20 for opening one side of the storage chamber 2 and asecond door 40 for opening the other side of the storage chamber 2 arerotatably coupled to the front surface of the cabinet 1. In thisinstance, when the first door 20 and the second door 40 close the frontsurface of the storage chamber 2, the storage chamber 2 may be entirelyclosed tight.

The second door 40 may include a pillar 100 rotatable to contact withthe first door 20. The pillar 100 may be formed in a rectangularparallelepiped shape and rotatably coupled to the second door so as torotate with respect to the second door 40. In this instance, the pillar100 may be rotatable with respect to the second door 40 at a differentangle according to a rotation angle of the second door 40 with respectto the storage chamber 40 or whether the first door 20 opens the storagechamber 2.

The pillar 100 has a shorter length than a gap between the upper wall 12and the lower wall 14 not to contact with the walls of the inner case10. In other words, even when the rotating second door 20 closes thestorage chamber 2, the pillar 100 will not contact with both of theupper and lower walls 12 and 14. The upper wall 12 and the lower wall 14are able to form a flat surface, because no elements capable ofrestricting the rotation of the pillar 100 are arranged therein.

A pillar projection 130 may be provided in an upper area of the pillar100 and the pillar projection 130 are also projected not to contact withthe upper wall 12, in other words, the ceiling 12.

The first door 20 may include a door dike 22 which defines a rearexterior of the first door 12. The second door 40 may also include adoor dike 42 which defines a rear exterior of the second door 40.

Baskets 44 and 24 may be installed in the door dikes 42 and 22,respectively, and it is possible to store diverse kinds of foods in thebaskets 44 and 24. At this time, the basket 44 provided in the firstdoor 20 having no pillar 100 will not be interfered with such thatcorners of those basket 24 can be formed angular. Accordingly, morefoods may be stored in the basket 24 than the basket having curvedcorners.

The storage chamber 2 may include a first drawer 34 arranged toward thefirst door 20; and a second drawer 32 arranged toward the second door40. In this instance, the first drawer 34 and the second drawer 32 maybe arranged on the same horizontal plane. In other words, the firstdrawer 34 and the second drawer 32 may be arranged in the storagechamber 2 at the same height side by side. The first drawer 34 and thesecond drawer 32 may be extractable independently.

The first drawer 34 and the second drawer 32 may have the same width. Inother words, they may have the same storage capacity and be used insubstitution for each other. If they are formed in different shapes withthe different widths, respectively, the first drawer 34 and the seconddrawer 32 have to be manufactured differently and the manufacturingcosts could rise. In contrast, if the two drawers are formed in the sameshape, the manufacturing costs fall advantageously.

In the embodiment of the present disclosure, when the user pulls out thefirst drawer 34 after opening the first door 20, the pillar 100 may notbe arranged on the passage of pulling out the first drawer 34 and thefunction mentioned above can be realized. The reason why the pillar 100is not arranged on the passage of the first drawer 34 will be describedlater in detail, referring to other drawings.

Meanwhile, in the embodiment of the present disclosure, the first door20 and the second door 40 are formed at the same width. Accordingly, themanufacturing process and the manufacturing process of the second door40 are partially shared, so as to lower the cost of the door production.The reasons will be described, referring to other drawings.

A driving member 1000 may be provided in the second door 40 andconfigured to rotate the pillar 100. The driving member 1000 may beprovided in a lower portion of the second door 40 and rotatable togetherwith the second door 40, when the second door 40 is rotated.Accordingly, the driving member 1000 may rotate the pillar 100,regardless of the positions of the rotating door 40.

The refrigerator in accordance with the embodiment may further include afirst door switch 16 configured to sense the opening and closing of thefirst door 20; and a second door switch 18 configured to sense theopening and closing of the second door 40. The first door switch 16 maysense whether the first door 20 opens or closes the storage chamber 2.The second door switch 18 may sense whether the second door 40 opens orcloses the storage chamber 2.

When it is sensed that the first door 20 is pressing the first doorswitch 16, it may be determined that the first door 20 is closing thestorage chamber 2. When it is sensed that the second door 40 is pressingthe second door switch 18, it may be determined that the second door 40is closing the storage chamber 2.

FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating the inside of the second door.

Referring to FIG. 2, the pillar 100 is provided in the second door 40.

The pillar 100 may be rotatable in a state of being fixed to a pillarfixing unit 50 provided in the second door 40.

The pillar fixing unit 50 may apply a force to the pillar 100 in bothdirections (a direction in which the pillar is folded and the otherdirection in which the pillar is unfolded). The pillar fixing unit 50may be configured of a spring, a rotation cam assembly or other diverseconfigurations.

More specifically, once it is rotated at a preset angle, the pillar 100is induced to be folded. Once rotated at another preset angle, thepillar is induced to be unfolded.

As the pillar fixing unit 50 applies the force along the direction inwhich the pillar is folded, the fluttering of the pillar 100 generatedafter opening the second door 40 having the unfolded pillar 100. As thepillar fixing unit 50 consistently applies the force to the pillar 100to keep the folded state, the vibration or noise generated by the freemoving of the pillar 100 may be prevented.

In addition, as the pillar fixing unit 50 applies the force in thedirection where the pillar 100 is folded, an auxiliary force can beprovided to fold the pillar 100 when the first door 20 is opening. Whenthe first door 20 is open in a state where the second door 30 closes thestorage chamber 2, the unfolded state of the pillar 100 is changed intothe folded state.

As the pillar fixing unit 50 applies the force in the direction wherethe pillar 100 is being unfolded, the unfolded pillar 100 is allowed tocontact with the first door 20 so as to substantially close the storagechamber 2 tight.

A sensor 500 may be provided in the pillar fixing unit 50 to sense therotation of the pillar 100. The sensor 500 may include a hall sensor andsense whether the pillar 100 is rotated or not.

The sensor may also only whether the pillar 100 is unfolded or folded.In other words, when the pillar 100 hides the sensor 500, the sensor 500senses that the pillar 100 is unfolded. Unless the pillar 100 hides thesensor 500, the sensor 500 senses that the pillar is unfolded.

Based on the information sensed by the sensor 500, the sensor 500 isable to sense whether the pillar 100 is folded or unfolded. Accordingly,the reliability of the sensing result on whether the pillar 100 isrotated or not may be enhanced.

The driving member 1000 is provided in a lower end portion of the seconddoor 40 and then always able to access to the pillar 200 from the sameposition. Unless the driving member 1000 is installed in the second door40, the area of the second door 40 supposed to contact with the pillar100 may vary with the rotation angle of the second door 40 and thereliability of the rotation of the pillar 100 could deterioratedisadvantageously. In the embodiment, the distance or gap between thesecond door 40 and the pillar 100 is always kept uniform such that thearea where the driving member 1000 is configured to contact with thepillar 100 may become uniform, only to stably rotate the pillar 100.

The driving member 1000 includes a case 1010 which defines the overallexterior and the elements configured to drive the driving member 1000are inserted in the case 1010.

A through-hole (1014, see FIG. 3) is formed in one surface directed tothe pillar 100 in the case 1010 and then some of the inner elementsprovided in the case 1010 may contact with the pillar 100 so as torotate the pillar 100.

A basket 44 may be provided on the case 1010 such as to makes itdifficult for the user to see the case 1010 easily. The user's height istypically over the basket 44. When the user is looking down, the case1010 is arranged under the basket 44 and covered by the basket 44.Accordingly, the user cannot directly access to the elements configuredto rotate the pillar 100 and the error of the driving member 1000generated by the user trying to operate the driving member 1000 directlymay be prevented.

The specific elements of the driving member 1000 will be described indetail, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating the driving member. FIG. 4 is a partialdiagram of FIG. 3, viewed from a different direction. FIG. 5 is adiagram illustrating a first protrusion and a second protrusion whichare formed in the pillar.

Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the driving member 1000 includes the case1010 defining the exterior of the driving member 1000. The case 1010 mayinclude a body having an internal space; and a cover provided to close atop of the body tight.

The driving member 1000 includes a first link 1100 and a second link1200 which are configured to selectively contact with the pillar 100.The first link 1100 and the second link 1200 may contact with differentareas of the pillar 100 so as to rotate the pillar 100 in differentdirections.

The driving member 1000 includes a motor 1300 configured to provide arotational force. The motor 1300 may be rotatable in a clockwise orcounter-clockwise direction. As necessity occurs, the motor is able toprovide a forward-direction rotation force or the reverse-directionrotation force.

The motor 1300 may have a rotation axis which is arranged parallel to ahorizontal direction such that the longitudinal width of the drivingmember 1000 may not increase. As the driving member 1000 becomes thickerin a longitudinal direction, the basket 44 becomes higher enough toreduce the amount of the foods which can be stored in the second door40. If possible, it is preferred that the longitudinal width of thedriving member 1000 decreases to reduce the volume of the driving member1000.

A transmission unit 1400 is provided to transmit the rotation force ofthe motor 1300 to the first and second links 1100 and 1120.

The transmission unit 1400 includes a first gear 1410 configured toreceive the rotation force from the motor; a second gear 1430 configuredto engage with the first gear 1410; and a third gear 1450 rotatable inthe same direction together with the second gear 1430.

A worm gear 1600 may be provided in a front end of the motor 1300 andconfigured to change the rotation direction of the motor 1300. Arotation axis of the worm gear 1600 is arranged perpendicular to therotation axis of the motor 1300 so as to arrange the rotation axis ofthe motor 1300 laid on the horizontal surface.

The worm gear 1600 may be configured of two gears which include one gearunit configured to change the rotation direction of the motor 1300; andthe other gear unit integrally formed with the gear unit and configuredto transmit the rotation force to the first gear 1410. The two gearunits of the worm gear 1600 are rotatable in the same direction at thesame speed.

The first gear 1410 1410 may include one gear unit which is rotatablewith engaging with the gear unit of the worm gear 1600; and another gearunit which is provided over the gear unit and configured to engage withthe worm gear 1600. The two gear units provided in the first gear 1410have a different number of teeth, respectively, so as to vary therotation force and speed of the worm gear 1600 into different rotationforces and speeds.

The first gear 1410 and the worm gear 1600 have parallel axes to eachother so as to transmit the rotation force of the worm gear 1600 to thefirst gear 1410.

The third gear 1450 is coupled to the second gear 1430 which isconfigured to engage with the first gear 1410. The second gear 1430 andthe third gear 1450 are installed at different heights, respectively,while they are rotatable together. In other words, the second gear 1430and the third gear 1450 are integrally formed with each other. Once thesecond gear 1430 is rotated in the clockwise direction, the third gear1450 is also rotated in the clockwise direction at the same angle.While, once the second gear 1430 is rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection, the third gear 1450 is also rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection at the same angle.

The second gear 1430 and the third gear 1450 are rotated on the samerotation axis. In other words, the teeth of the first gear 1410 engagewith the second gear 1430 such that the rotation force and direction ofthe first gear 1410 are transmitted to the second gear 1430 and thethird gear 1450.

A first projected piece 1440 is projected from the second gear 1430 anda second projected piece 1460 is projected from the third gear 1450. Thefirst projected piece 1440 and the second projected piece 1460 areextended to be fart from the axes in a radial direction. Accordingly,rotation radii of the first and second projected pieces 1440 and 160 maybe longer than the other portions of the second and third gears 1430 and1450.

The first projected piece 1440 may be extended enough to contact withthe first link 110 and the second projected piece 1460 may be extendedenough to contact with the second link 1100. Accordingly, the firstprojected piece 1440 may contact with the first link 1100 or the secondprojected piece 1460 may contact with the second link 1200, based on therotation angles of the second and third gears 1430 and 1450.

The driving member 1000 may include a first projection 1002 and a secondprojection 1004. The first projection 1002 is connected with the firstlink 1100 by a first elastic member 1030 and the second projection 1004is connected with the second link 1120 by a second elastic member 1050.The first elastic member 1030 and the second elastic member 1050 have arestoring force to be tensioned when an external force is applied tothem and go back to the original positions when the external force isremoved. Accordingly, the first and second links 110 and 1120 rotated bythe external force may go back to their original positions when theexternal force is removed.

A third projected piece 1102 is formed in the first link 1100 andconfigured to selectively contact with the first projected piece 1440.The third projected piece 1102 is projected from the rotation axis ofthe first link 110 toward the motor 1300 to contact with the firstprojected piece 1440 in a preset range of rotation angles.

A first contact piece is formed in the first link 1100 and configured tocontact with the pillar 100. The first contact piece 1104 is formed inthe opposite side of the third projected piece 1102 with respect to therotation axis of the first link 1100.

A fourth projected piece 1122 is formed in the second link 1120 andconfigured to selectively contact with the second projected piece 1460.The fourth projected piece 1122 is projected from the rotation axis ofthe second link 1120 toward the motor 1300 to contact with the secondprojected piece 1460 in a preset range of rotation angles.

A second contact piece 1124 is formed in the second link 1120 andconfigured to contact with the pillar 100. The second contact piece 1124is formed in the opposite side of the fourth projected piece 1122 withrespect to the rotation axis of the second link 1120.

More specifically, after it is transmitted to the worm gear 1600 and thefirst gear 1410 sequentially, the rotation force of the motor 1300 istransmitted to the second gear 1430 and the third gear 1450.

If occasion rises, the rotation force of the motor is selectivelytransmitted to the first link 1100 and the second link 1120 so as torotate the pillar 100.

The first link 1100 and the second link 1120 are arranged to havedifferent heights, respectively. When looking down, the first link 1100and the second link 1120 are overlapped with each other. Accordingly,when looking down at the driving member 1000, the vertical width of thedriving member 1000 may decrease and the projected length of the rearportion of the second door 40 toward the storage chamber 2 may decrease.Accordingly, the interference generated in the storage chamber 2 whenthe second door 40 is rotated may be prevented from increasing.

Referring to FIG. 5, a plurality of protrusions may be formed in a lowerportion of the pillar 100 to be coupled to the driving member 1000.

A first protrusion 110 is formed in the lower portion of the pillar 100to be coupled to the first contact piece 1104 by contact. A guide grooveis recessed from a front area of the first protrusion 110 toward thepillar 100 to the preset depth such that the first contact piece 1104contacting with the first protrusion 110 can rotate the pillar 100.

A second protrusion 120 is formed in the lower portion of the pillar 100to be coupled to the second contact piece 1124 by contact. A guidegroove is recessed from a front area of the second protrusion 120 towardthe pillar 100 to the preset depth such that the second contact piece1124 contacting with the second protrusion 120 can rotate the pillar100.

The first protrusion 110 and the second protrusion 120 are arranged atdifferent heights in a perpendicular direction with respect to thepillar 100, corresponding to the first link 110 and the second link 1120which are arranged at the different heights.

FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an operation that the pillar is beingunfolded.

Once both of the first and second door switches 16 and 18 sense the doorclosing, the operation for unfolding the pillar 100 starts. Morespecifically, when the user rotates the first door 20 and the seconddoor 40 to close the storage chamber 2, the first door 20 and the seconddoor 40 closes the storage chamber 2 tight. At this time, the pillar 100gets unfolded to close the storage chamber 2 and has to contact both ofthe first and second doors 20 and 40.

As the user is rotating the closed doors, the pillar 100 has to befolded in an early stage.

As shown in FIG. 6a , the motor 13000 gets rotated in the forwarddirection to rotate the first gear 1410 in the counter-clockwisedirection. When the first gear 1410 is rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection, the second gear 1430 and the third gear 1450 are rotated inthe clockwise direction while engaging with the first gear.

As the rotation angle of the first gear 1410 becomes larger, the secondprojected piece 1460 is coupled to the fourth projected piece 1122 bycontact as shown in FIG. 6b . Accordingly, the first link 1100 is notrotated and the second link 1120 is rotated in the counter-clockwisedirection. The second contact piece 1124 of the second link 1120 iscoupled to the second protrusion 120 by contact, and the pillar 100 thengets rotated in the unfolded direction.

As shown in FIGS. 6c and 6d , the rotation angle of the first gear 1410becomes larger and the first projected piece 1440 is then coupled to thethird projected piece 1102 by contact. In this instance, the second linkis not rotated and the first link 1100 is rotated in thecounter-clockwise direction such that the first link 1100 may get out ofthe locus of the rotating pillar 100 not to interfere with the rotationof the pillar 100.

At this time, the external force applied to the second link 1120 by thethird gear 1450 is removed and the tensioned second elastic member 1050goes back to the original size to restore the second link 1120 to theoriginal position.

As shown in FIG. 6e , the rotation angle of the first gear 1410 becomeslarger and the contact between the first projected piece 1440 and thethird projected piece 1102 ends such that the first link 1100 may bethen restored to the original position by the first elastic member 1030.

More specifically, the first link 1100 and the second link 1120 arerotated while coupled to the second gear 1430 and the third gear 1450 bycontact. Once the contact coupling is released, the first link 1100 andthe second link 1120 are restored to the original positions by therestoring forces of the first and second elastic members 1030 and the1050.

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an operation that the pillar is beingfolded.

Once the first door switch 16 or the second door switch 18 senses thedoor opening, the pillar 100 is rotated to be folded. In other words,the pillar 100 gets folded when the first door 20 is open with thesecond door 40 closing the storage chamber 2 and when first door 20 isclosed with the second door 40 opening the storage chamber 2 and whenthe first door 20 and the second door 40 open the storage chamber 2.

As the first door switch 16 and the second door switch 18 is able tosense the door opening and closing independently, the opening andclosing of the two doors may be individually sensed.

Once it is sensed that the user opens one or more of the first andsecond doors 20 and 40, the motor 1300 is rotated in the reversedirection. Although not shown in the drawing, the motor 1300 is thenrotated in the reverse direction to the direction mentioned referring toFIG. 6.

As shown in FIG. 7a , the first gear 1410 is rotated in the clockwisedirection and the second gear 1430 is then rotated in thecounter-clockwise direction. At this time, the third gear 1450 is alsorotated in the counter-clockwise direction together with the second gear1430.

As shown in FIG. 7b , when the rotation angle of the first gear 1410becomes larger, the first projected piece 1440 of the second gear 1430is coupled to the third projected piece 1102 of the first link 1100 bycontact. As the first projected piece 1440 is moved in contact with thethird projected piece 1102, the first elastic member 1030 becomestensioned and the first link 1100 is rotated in the clockwise direction.

As the first link 1100 is rotated, the first contact piece 1104 iscoupled to the first protrusion 120 and the pillar 100 gets then rotatedin the folded direction.

As shown in FIG. 7c , while the first gear 1410 is being rotatedcontinuously, the second projected piece 1460 gets coupled to the fourthprojected piece 1122 by contact. While the first contact piece 1104keeps the contact with the protrusion 110, the pillar 100 may be rotatedin the folded direction continuously.

Meanwhile, while the third gear 1450 is rotated together with the secondgear 1430, the second projected piece 1460 gets coupled to the fourthprojected piece 1122 by contact. While the second projected piece 11460is contacting with the fourth projected piece 1122, the third gear 1450is rotated together with the second link 1120. The rotating second link1120 is able to keep the position preset not to interfere with therotation of the pillar 100. Accordingly, the pillar 100 may stably movein the folded direction.

As shown in FIG. 7d , while the second projected piece 1460 iscontacting with the fourth projected piece 1122, the third gear 1450 isable to restrict the rotation of the second link 1120 and the secondelastic member 1050 becomes more tensioned during that time.

Meanwhile, unless the second gear 1430 contacts with the first link1100, the external force applied for the tension of the first elasticmember 1030 is removed and the first elastic member 1030 is restored tothe original size such that the first link 1100 can go back to theoriginal position.

As shown in FIG. 7e , the first gear 1410 is rotated further and thecontact between the third gear 1450 and the second link 1120 is releasedand the second link 1120 is restored to the original position by therestoring force of the second elastic member 1050.

Meanwhile, unless the sensor senses that the folding or unfoldingprocess of the pillar 100 is performed smoothly, the processes mentionedabove may be performed again.

Unless the process for unfolding the pillar 100 is performed in thestate where both of the first and second doors 20 and 40 close thestorage chamber 2, the process described referring to FIG. 6 isperformed again.

In contrast, unless the process for folding the pillar 100 is performedin the state where one of the first and second doors 20 and 40 opens thestorage chamber 2, the process described referring to FIG. 7 isperformed again.

In the embodiment, the user is able to check the operation of the pillar100 by using the sensor 500 such that the reliability of the pillarfolding or unfolding process may be enhanced.

As the present features may be embodied in several forms withoutdeparting from the characteristics thereof, it should also be understoodthat the above-described embodiments are not limited by any of thedetails of the foregoing description, unless otherwise specified, butrather should be considered broadly within its scope as defined in theappended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that fallwithin the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalents of such metesand bounds, are therefore intended to be embraced by the appendedclaims.

1. A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet; an inner case that is locatedin the cabinet and that defines a storage chamber; a first doorrotatably coupled to the cabinet and configured to open and close afirst side of the storage chamber; a second door rotatably coupled tothe cabinet and configured to open and close a second side of thestorage chamber, the second door comprising a pillar that is configuredto rotate relative to the second door and that is configured to contactthe first door based on the first and second doors being closed and thepillar being oriented in an unfolded state; a driving member that islocated at a lower end of the second door, that is configured to movetogether with the second door, and that is configured to rotate thepillar toward the second door to a folded state or away from the seconddoor to the unfolded state, wherein the pillar comprises a firstprotrusion and a second protrusion that are configured to selectivelycouple to the driving member, and wherein the pillar is positionedspaced apart from an upper wall and a lower wall of the inner casewithout contacting the inner case in a state in which the second doorcloses the second side of the storage chamber.
 2. The refrigerator ofclaim 1, further comprising: a first door switch configured to sensewhether the first door opens or closes the first side of the storagechamber; a second door switch configured to sense whether the seconddoor opens or closes the second side of the storage chamber, wherein thedriving member is configured to rotate the pillar from the unfoldedstate to the folded state based on at least one of the first door switchsensing the first door being oriented in a position that opens the firstside or the second door switch sensing the second door being oriented ina position that opens the second side.
 3. The refrigerator of claim 1,further comprising: a first door switch configured to sense whether thefirst door opens or closes the first side of the storage chamber; and asecond door switch configured to sense whether the second door opens orcloses the second side of the storage chamber, wherein the drivingmember is configured to rotate the pillar from the folded state to theunfolded state based on both of the first door switch sensing the firstdoor being oriented in a position that opens the first side and thesecond door switch sensing the second door being in a position thatopens the second side.
 4. The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the firstprotrusion and the second protrusion are arranged at the pillar atdifferent heights with respect to the lower wall of the inner case. 5.The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the driving member comprises: afirst link configured to selectively contact the first protrusion; and asecond link configured to selectively contact the second protrusion. 6.The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the first link and the second linkare located at different heights from each other with respect to thelower wall of the inner case.
 7. The refrigerator of claim 6, whereinthe driving member comprises: a motor configured to rotate in a forwarddirection and a reverse direction; and a transmission unit configured totransmit rotation of the motor to the first link and the second link. 8.The refrigerator of claim 7, wherein the transmission unit comprises: afirst gear configured to receive rotation force from the motor; a secondgear configured to engage with the first gear; and a third gearconfigured to rotate together with the second gear in a direction thatis equal to a rotation direction of the second gear.
 9. The refrigeratorof claim 8, wherein the second gear comprises a first extensionconfigured to selectively contact the first link, and wherein the thirdgear comprises a second extension configured to selectively contact thesecond link.
 10. The refrigerator of claim 8, further comprising a wormgear configured to transmit rotation of the motor to the first gear,wherein a rotation axis of the motor is perpendicular to a rotation axisof the first gear.
 11. The refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the drivingmember comprises a case that defines an exterior of the driving member,the case comprising: a first projection and a second projection; a firstelastic member that connects the first projection to the first link; anda second elastic member that connects the second projection to thesecond link.
 12. The refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the case definesa through-hole that allows the first link and the second link to contactthe pillar via the through-hole.
 13. The refrigerator of claim 1,further comprising a sensor configured to sense rotation of the pillar.14. The refrigerator of claim 13, wherein the driving member isconfigured to, based on the sensor sensing that the pillar has rotatedoutside of a preset state, repeat driving of the pillar toward thepreset state.
 15. The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising abasket located vertically above the driving member.
 16. The refrigeratorof claim 1, wherein the pillar is located at a side surface of thesecond door that faces toward the first door, and wherein the drivingmember is configured to rotate the pillar toward the side surface fromthe unfolded state to the folded state or away from the side surfacefrom the folded state to the unfolded state.
 17. The refrigerator ofclaim 5, wherein the pillar is configured to: rotate toward the seconddoor from the unfolded state to the folded state based on the first linkcontacting the first protrusion; and rotate away from the second doorfrom the folded state to the unfolded state based on the second linkcontacting the second protrusion.
 18. The refrigerator of claim 6,wherein the first protrusion protrudes from a first position at thepillar corresponding to a height of the first link with respect to thelower wall of the inner case, wherein the second protrusion protrudesfrom a second position at the pillar corresponding to a height of thesecond link with respect to the lower wall of the inner case, andwherein the first position is located vertically above the secondposition.
 19. The refrigerator of claim 8, wherein the second gear isconfigured to, based on rotation of the first gear, rotate about an axisby an angle in the rotation direction, and wherein the third gear isconfigured to, based on rotation of the second gear, rotate about theaxis by the angle in the rotation direction together with the secondgear.
 20. The refrigerator of claim 14, wherein the sensor is located ata side surface of the second door that faces toward the first door, andwherein the sensor is configured to sense rotation of the pillar basedon the pillar covering at least a portion of the sensor.